The Czech Republic ( ( listen) Czech: Česká republika, Czech pronunciation: [ˈtʃɛskaː ˈrɛpuˌblɪka] ( listen)), also known as Czechia ( ( listen); Czech: Česko, pronounced [ˈtʃɛsko] ( listen)), is a landlocked nation state in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west, Austria to the south, Slovakia to the east and Poland to the northeast. The Czech Republic covers an area of 78,866 square kilometres (30,450 sq mi) with a mostly temperate continental climate and oceanic climate. It is a unitary parliamentary republic, has 10.6 million inhabitants and the capital and largest city is Prague, with over 1.2 million residents. The Czech Republic includes the historical territories of Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia.The Czech state was formed in the late 9th century as the Duchy of Bohemia under the Great Moravian Empire. After the fall of the Empire in 907, the centre of power transferred from Moravia to Bohemia under the Přemyslid dynasty. In 1002, the duchy was formally recognized as part of the Holy Roman Empire, becoming the Kingdom of Bohemia in 1198 and reaching its greatest territorial extent in the 14th century. Besides Bohemia itself, the king of Bohemia ruled the lands of the Bohemian Crown, he had a vote in the election of the Holy Roman Emperor, and Prague was the imperial seat in periods between the 14th and 17th century. In the Hussite wars of the 15th century driven by the Protestant Bohemian Reformation, the kingdom faced economic embargoes and defeated five consecutive crusades proclaimed by the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church.
Following the Battle of Mohács in 1526, the whole Crown of Bohemia was gradually integrated into the Habsburg Monarchy alongside the Archduchy of Austria and the Kingdom of Hungary. The Protestant Bohemian Revolt (1618–20) against the Catholic Habsburgs led to the Thirty Years' War. After the Battle of the White Mountain, the Habsburgs consolidated their rule, eradicated Protestantism and reimposed Roman Catholicism, and also adopted a policy of gradual Germanization. With the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the Bohemian Kingdom became part of the Austrian Empire and the Czech language experienced a revival as a consequence of widespread romantic nationalism. In the 19th century, the Czech lands became the industrial powerhouse of the monarchy and were subsequently the core of the Republic of Czechoslovakia, which was formed in 1918 following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I.
Czechoslovakia remained the only democracy in this part of Europe in the interwar period. However, the Czech part of Czechoslovakia was occupied by Germany in World War II, and was liberated in 1945 by the armies of the Soviet Union and the United States. The Czech country lost the majority of its German-speaking inhabitants after they were expelled following the war. The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia won the 1946 elections. Following the 1948 coup d'état, Czechoslovakia became a one-party communist state under Soviet influence. In 1968, increasing dissatisfaction with the regime culminated in a reform movement known as the Prague Spring, which ended in a Soviet-led invasion. Czechoslovakia remained occupied until the 1989 Velvet Revolution, when the communist regime collapsed and market economy was reintroduced. On 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully dissolved, with its constituent states becoming the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union (EU) in 2004; it is a member of the United Nations, the OECD, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe. It is a developed country with an advanced, high income economy and high living standards. The UNDP ranks the country 14th in inequality-adjusted human development. The Czech Republic also ranks as the 6th most peaceful country, while achieving strong performance in democratic governance.

Travel information

At the close of World War I, the Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, having rejected a federal system, the new country's predominantly Czech leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the increasingly strident demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Slovaks, the Sudeten Germans, and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). On the eve of World War II, Nazi Germany occupied the Czech part of the country and Slovakia became an independent state allied with Germany. After the war, a reunited but truncated Czechoslovakia (less Ruthenia) fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize communist rule and create "socialism with a human face," ushering in a period of repression known as "normalization." The peaceful "Velvet Revolution" swept the Communist Party from power at the end of 1989 and inaugurated a return to democratic rule and a market economy. On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a nonviolent "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004..

Czech Republic is located in Central Europe, between Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria.

When you travel to Czech Republic remember that the climate is temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters.

Other practical travel informations

Terrain is: Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country.

When people think of the Czech Republic, the city of Prague immediately springs to mind. Whilst this is an amazing city to visit, the country has so much more to offer. Centuries of influence from French, German, Jew and Slovaks are revealed in the hundreds of castles, churches and towns scattered throughout the country. Each one seems to be a living monument of some kind, and by travelling through the countryside, a deeper appreciation for this small country can be earned.

When to Visit the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic can be visited at any time of year, and the capital Prague can look at its most quaint during snowy, winter days when the Christmas Markets are in full swing. There is never a guarantee of snow over Christmas though! The autumn is another pleasant time to visit, when the leaves change colour and then fall from the trees, leaving the ground covered in golds and browns. For the best weather though, visit between the months of April and September, with July and August having the very warmest temperatures.

Things to See and Do in Czech Republic

Prague – Prague is a city which rewards the visitor more the longer they stay there. Three days should be sufficient to see all the major sights and attractions without rushing around too much. Prague Castle and Charles Bridge can both be comfortably viewed in one day, and on the others, strolling the streets of Lesser Town, Old Town and Hradcany will ensure that most of the historic section has been seen. The nightlife in Prague has a reputation for being amazing, and many people choose to visit for long weekend breaks simply to make the most of this.Brno – This city has some excellent museums, and the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul is an 18th century Baroque masterpiece. Spilberk castle is another interesting attraction the city has to offer.Ceský Krumlov Castle – This UNESCO World Heritage Site dominates the town of the same name. It dates back to the 13th century, but most of what can be seen today is from the 17th century. There is an impressive collection of paintings inside, and a guided tour is available.Sedlec – This is home to rather disturbing place known as the Bone Church, or by its correct name, Gothic All Saints Chapel. The bones of over 70,000 people who died 400 years ago are displayed in macabre fashion.

Czech Republic: photos and pictures

Czech Republic: numbers and facts 2018

At the close of World War I, the Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, having rejected a federal system, the new country's predominantly Czech leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the increasingly strident demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Slovaks, the Sudeten Germans, and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). On the eve of World War II, Nazi Germany occupied the Czech part of the country and Slovakia became an independent state allied with Germany. After the war, a reunited but truncated Czechoslovakia (less Ruthenia) fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize communist rule and create "socialism with a human face," ushering in a period of repression known as "normalization." The peaceful "Velvet Revolution" swept the Communist Party from power at the end of 1989 and inaugurated a return to democratic rule and a market economy. On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a nonviolent "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004..

Czech Republic is located in Central Europe, between Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria.

When you travel to Czech Republic remember that the climate is temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters.

When people think of the Czech Republic, the city of Prague immediately springs to mind. Whilst this is an amazing city to visit, the country has so much more to offer. Centuries of influence from French, German, Jew and Slovaks are revealed in the hundreds of castles, churches and towns scattered throughout the country. Each one seems to be a living monument of some kind, and by travelling through the countryside, a deeper appreciation for this small country can be earned.

When to Visit the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic can be visited at any time of year, and the capital Prague can look at its most quaint during snowy, winter days when the Christmas Markets are in full swing. There is never a guarantee of snow over Christmas though! The autumn is another pleasant time to visit, when the leaves change colour and then fall from the trees, leaving the ground covered in golds and browns. For the best weather though, visit between the months of April and September, with July and August having the very warmest temperatures.

Things to See and Do in Czech Republic

Prague – Prague is a city which rewards the visitor more the longer they stay there. Three days should be sufficient to see all the major sights and attractions without rushing around too much. Prague Castle and Charles Bridge can both be comfortably viewed in one day, and on the others, strolling the streets of Lesser Town, Old Town and Hradcany will ensure that most of the historic section has been seen. The nightlife in Prague has a reputation for being amazing, and many people choose to visit for long weekend breaks simply to make the most of this.Brno – This city has some excellent museums, and the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul is an 18th century Baroque masterpiece. Spilberk castle is another interesting attraction the city has to offer.Ceský Krumlov Castle – This UNESCO World Heritage Site dominates the town of the same name. It dates back to the 13th century, but most of what can be seen today is from the 17th century. There is an impressive collection of paintings inside, and a guided tour is available.Sedlec – This is home to rather disturbing place known as the Bone Church, or by its correct name, Gothic All Saints Chapel. The bones of over 70,000 people who died 400 years ago are displayed in macabre fashion.

Travel information and tips: Czech Republic

Terrain is: Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country.

Electrical Plug/Outlet and Voltage Informations in Czech Republic

Speed Limit

Road speed limits are used in most countries to set the maximum speed at which vehicles may legally drive on particular stretches of a road. Take a look at the speed restrictions:
Within towns: 50
Automobiles and motorcycles (single carriageway):: 90
Expressways/motorways (dual carriageway): 90 (with no physical separation) and 130 (expressways & motorways)
Trucks or automobiles with a trailer: 80
Outside built-up areas / highways: 90
Enforcement tolerance: 3 km/h when going under 100 km/h, 3% when going over 100 km/h

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